Here’s a question that a lot of individuals ask: What’s the distinction in between MIG and TIG welding?

A little confusion is perfectly typical. Both procedures use electrical arcs to produce heat and join metallic objects. Likewise, both processes use an inert gas mixture to prevent deterioration of welding electrode.

There are some crucial differences in between these 2 electrical arc welding processes:

How Each Process Works

MIG, or metal inert gas, welding is a process that involves continually feeding a metal wire into the weld being made. The wire serves as a filler product to help join the two metal items.

TIG, or tungsten inert gas, welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to run a current through the metals being joined and may or might not use a filler metal.

Suitability for Welding Thicker Metal Objects

Due to the fact that MIG welding uses a consumable filler product to make welds, it can typically complete welds of thicker metal objects in less time than a TIG weld.

Without a filler product, TIG welding needs to get the pieces of metal being bonded hot enough to form a bond with each other. Generally, this is much easier with thinner pieces of metal than with thicker ones.

In general, for really thick, sturdy welds, MIG welding is the go-to option. For thinner pieces of metal, TIG welding has the tendency to be the more effective service.

Ease of Control

Typically speaking, MIG welding is regularly advised for ease of use. The process has the tendency to be a bit more forgiving of mistakes than TIG welding is– so it’s typically suggested for first-time operators and non-professionals.

TIG welding, on the other hand, needs very strict control over the timing, pressure, and electrical existing utilised in the weld. Most of the times, TIG welding is best done using an automated, computer numerically-controlled (CNC) welding device. Machines can dependably perform identical welds over and over a lot more easily than a manual welder could.

When utilising an automated welder (whether it’s MIG or TIG), it is necessary to get the weld settings and controls perfect– otherwise, you risk duplicating the very same error over and over.

Which One is Better?

The response depends upon the task in question. As kept in mind previously, MIG welding is typically better for durable welding work where bigger, thicker pieces of metal are being joined since it uses filler product.

However, TIG welding can work marvels for joining smaller sized pieces of metal, such as the wires for a custom-made steel wire basket. Likewise, due to the fact that the TIG process directly joins two pieces of metal, there’s no filler material to stop working.

With robotic welding devices, TIG welding can be a bit lower-maintenance, given that the welding electrode isn’t really being continuously taken in by the welding procedure. However, the welding electrode still has to be correctly cleaned and polished between uses– especially when welding stainless steel.

In other words, picking one welding solution as the best ought to be done on a case-by-case basis, which is why Marlin Steel is committed to having a series of tools and innovations for completing welds.